There are some things you should know to ensure your success at your next road race, no matter if you are a seasoned racer or just starting. Regardless of the distance you are racing, it is important to have a strong training plan in place to prepare for your event.
Training
Road races are a great way for you to test your limits and challenge yourself on a challenging course. There are thousands of races in the world every year, from short circuit criteriums to full-day road stages and classics like Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.
No matter if you are a professional or an amateur, the key to success in cycling is to conserve energy. Especially in shorter events, good pack-riding skills are critical as most attacks are reeled back in by the peloton before they can make a decisive difference.
Smart, strategic training that maximizes each athlete’s strengths and builds their fitness in specific areas is the best way for road racers to be developed. For example, a long-distance criterium requires a lot of power for short bursts of speed and endurance to deal with the constant changes in pace.
Road race plans should include Functional Threshold Power and VO2 max workouts to increase fatigue resistance. These sessions will help your body better handle the small accelerations that will occur during a race, and the bigger your VO2 max and FTP are, the more energy you have available for overcoming these small efforts.
Bradley +1 targets muscular endurance with long efforts near your Functional Threshold Power (FTP). To maintain your energy levels, it is important to train at a steady power for a sustained period.
Basin +1 works your anaerobic and lactate processing capabilities with high-power, ramping intervals to improve your ability to work at and above FTP for long periods of time. These workouts aim to increase the rider’s ATP stores and lactate tolerance in long climbs in the last weeks of a race. The intensity is low enough to allow for quick recovery after hard efforts.
Repeatability workouts can be difficult to perform when you are already tired. This is a great workout to start using in the last few weeks before a road race.
Nutrition
Your nutrition is an important part of your ability to train and race well. Your performance will be affected by what you eat, whether it’s to fuel high-intensity sessions to build your sprint or FTP, or to keep you fueled during long rides.
Carbohydrate is the fuel your body uses when you are exercising at a high intensity. This is especially true in road races, which often require you to perform high-intensity tasks for hours at a stretch.
You need to eat the right amount of carbohydrates at the right times during your training and racing. You should aim to consume 80 percent of your calories from carbohydrates and 20-25% from protein.
It is important to stay hydrated during training and racing. Drink water at the beginning of your workout, during a run, and continue to hydrate throughout your race. This will help to prevent dehydration and muscle damage, as well as promoting cognitive function.
Pre-race meals should contain around 100-150g of low-fiber (low-energy) carbohydrates. This will provide enough energy for the two-three hour race.
A “carbo loading” strategy can be used to increase the amount glycogen available to your muscles for longer races. This strategy is best for those who are not able to do a full marathon. During the last 48 hours, consume a total of 4-5 grams of easy-to-digest (low-fiber) carbohydrate per pound of lean body weight to enhance stores.
This will ensure that you have enough carbohydrate to last the entire race. You might also consider adding a sports drink to replenish your sweat and keep you hydrated in hot weather.
It can be challenging to find the best nutrition plan for your specific needs, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different types and timings of food and fluid intake during training and on race day. If you’re not sure what works best, you should talk to an Accredited Sports Dietitian who can assist you with your nutrition needs.
Hydration
Hydration is an essential part of road race training. Hydration is vital for maintaining your heart health and muscle performance.
It is important to ensure your body is adequately hydrated before and after a race. This will prevent dehydration which can cause you to feel sluggish during your run.
For shorter runs, such as under an hour, you will probably only need a few sips water or a sports drink. This can be enough to keep you hydrated, but once you start running for more than an hour or during warm weather, it’s a good idea to include an electrolyte replacement drink alongside your water to avoid dehydration.
Your body needs sodium to stay healthy and hydrated. It works together with the other electrolytes in your body to maintain fluid balance. This will allow you to perform at the highest level possible.
You can experiment with different beverages to find the right balance of sodium and fluid for your needs. It’s a process that can take some time, so don’t be afraid to trial and error!
It’s a great way to stay hydrated while on the go. We like the Nathan QuickSqueeze insulated bottle which is ergonomically designed and has a valve nozzle for easy drinking.
An electrolyte replacement drink is a good idea for longer training runs and races. It helps replace salt lost through sweating. There are many electrolyte options available for runners, including powdered or tablet forms.
You should drink water in addition to eating water. These will give you the energy you need to run through your race or training run.
Preparation
Whether you are just starting out in road racing or an experienced racer looking to improve your performance, you need to prepare for your next big event. Preparation is important because it allows you to focus on the task at hand and avoid distracting yourself from other things that could hinder your performance.
The first step in preparation for a road race is to set your goal and build a training program around it. If you want your first 5K win, you will need to start running for a few minutes each day and increase the distance gradually until you reach the 5K mark.
A key step in your preparation for a race on the road is to make sure you have all the equipment. This includes your bike, shoes, clothing, and other necessary equipment. You should also ensure that you get enough nutrition and hydration.
In addition, you should have an accurate race map of the course and familiarize yourself with it. This is important because it will help you to understand the terrain better, as well as plan your strategy for the race.
When planning your route, try to identify major climbs or headwind sections that could prove decisive. It is also a good idea to identify any technical corners that might be difficult to navigate.
Having a clear idea of what the terrain will be like ahead of time will help you to prepare your attack strategy. It also gives you the confidence that you will be ready for a big race.
Many road races are unpredictably paced, so soft foods such as gels have the advantage of being easy to consume when you are in the middle of a tough effort. In addition, long races often have areas where family members or teammates can hand you food and drink as you pass them.
Training for a road race takes a lot time and energy. To be successful, you must plan your schedule to ensure that you have enough rest and recovery. This can be difficult for many people, so it is a good idea to start your plan as early as possible. Your mileage should be reduced and you should rest more to allow your body to recover from the race.